Martha S. (Molly) Hunter, Professor.
Inherited, intracellular bacterial symbionts, once acquired by an arthropod, can change the biology of the host dramatically and virtually instantaneously. Recent years have brought recognition that symbiont genes are an important source of evolutionary novelty among insects generally, and may be critical drivers of insect diversification. I am particularly interested in the role of symbionts in the ecology and reproduction of their hosts. I study reproductive manipulation by symbionts that cause parthenogenesis or the reproductive incompatibility known as cytoplasmic incompatibility, but also symbionts that influence the ecology of their hosts by influencing defense against natural enemies, or confer benefits, sometimes conditional ones. We are currently continuing on a mechanistic study of Cardinium causing cytoplasmic incompatibility, and are also studying how the leaf-footed bug Leptoglossus zonatus acquires and is influenced by its Burkholderia symbiont. I have also enjoyed the opportunity to mentor great students with independent projects, such as Cara Gibson's yeast symbiont studies, and Joe Deas' seed beetle defensive oviposition behavior work. [email protected]
Inherited, intracellular bacterial symbionts, once acquired by an arthropod, can change the biology of the host dramatically and virtually instantaneously. Recent years have brought recognition that symbiont genes are an important source of evolutionary novelty among insects generally, and may be critical drivers of insect diversification. I am particularly interested in the role of symbionts in the ecology and reproduction of their hosts. I study reproductive manipulation by symbionts that cause parthenogenesis or the reproductive incompatibility known as cytoplasmic incompatibility, but also symbionts that influence the ecology of their hosts by influencing defense against natural enemies, or confer benefits, sometimes conditional ones. We are currently continuing on a mechanistic study of Cardinium causing cytoplasmic incompatibility, and are also studying how the leaf-footed bug Leptoglossus zonatus acquires and is influenced by its Burkholderia symbiont. I have also enjoyed the opportunity to mentor great students with independent projects, such as Cara Gibson's yeast symbiont studies, and Joe Deas' seed beetle defensive oviposition behavior work. [email protected]
Suzanne Kelly, Research specialist and lab manager.
I am involved with all funded research in the Hunter laboratory, including training and mentoring newcomers to the laboratory, especially undergrads, helping with experimental design, assisting with experiments, data entry, and editing manuscripts. I also conduct independent projects, including electron and fluorescence microscopy projects and projects that use qPCR, for example determining symbiont titer and evaluating expression of candidate symbiont genes with RT-qPCR. [email protected]
I am involved with all funded research in the Hunter laboratory, including training and mentoring newcomers to the laboratory, especially undergrads, helping with experimental design, assisting with experiments, data entry, and editing manuscripts. I also conduct independent projects, including electron and fluorescence microscopy projects and projects that use qPCR, for example determining symbiont titer and evaluating expression of candidate symbiont genes with RT-qPCR. [email protected]
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Edwin Umanzor, PhD student
I’m working with the leaffooted bug, Leptoglossus zonatus and its primary symbiont, Caballeronia, which, unusually among terrestrial arthropods, must be acquired each generation from the environment. The leaffooted bug also harbors a maternally inherited symbiont, Lariskella. My research has shown Lariskella does not provide any developmental benefits. Instead, it causes cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), a biological phenomenon in which matings between CI-symbiont-carrying males and females lacking the CI symbiont results in few or no viable offspring, ensuring transmission of the symbiont. I am using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to visualize Lariskella localization patterns during spermatogenesis in L. zonatus. Finally, my research on Caballeronia also explores the costs and benefits of maintaining this symbiont in adulthood. [email protected] |
Liam Sullivan, PhD student
I am interested in the influence and role of insect symbionts in the behavior and biology of their hosts. My research is focused on the interaction between the soil-dwelling bacterium Burkholderia, and its host, the leaf-footed bug Leptoglossus zonatus. Much of the research into insect symbionts has been centered on heritable symbionts that are passed from parent to offspring. The Bug-Burkholderia system, however, is unique in that a free-living bacterium is acquired from the environment each generation. This system poses interesting questions about how the need for a symbiont may drive the behavior of the insect, and how a free-lliving symbiont could convey localized benefits to its host. [email protected]
I am interested in the influence and role of insect symbionts in the behavior and biology of their hosts. My research is focused on the interaction between the soil-dwelling bacterium Burkholderia, and its host, the leaf-footed bug Leptoglossus zonatus. Much of the research into insect symbionts has been centered on heritable symbionts that are passed from parent to offspring. The Bug-Burkholderia system, however, is unique in that a free-living bacterium is acquired from the environment each generation. This system poses interesting questions about how the need for a symbiont may drive the behavior of the insect, and how a free-lliving symbiont could convey localized benefits to its host. [email protected]
